Ribbon inker printing method and apparatus therefor



Feb. 19, 1952 PAYNE 2,586,560

RIBBON INKER PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Dec. 11, 19484 Sheets-Sheet 1 v 10 O F 15 5 Z5Z- \Eza Q 42 \Eo} 153 2, 1e2 1 \bIGZ-VVIAMHEBE 1 1 6 VIM ZLBEEL 'lOHM vvl ABODA HIS ATTORNEY Feb. 19,1952 w. B. PAYNE 2,586,560

RIBBGN INKER PRINTING MEiHoD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR 4 Sheet-Sheet 2Filed Dec. 11, 1948 3 16 1:- E1 1 I- -1 a L I I 6 2 IN V EN TOR.

Walt erB. Payn HIS ATTORNEY Feb. 19, 1952 w B, PAYNE 2,586,560

RIBBON INKER PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Dec. 11, 19484 Sheets-Sheet 3 as I? 12'2 INVENTOR.

WAlfier B. Payne BY HIS ATTORNEY Feb. 19, 1952 w Y E; 2,586,560

RIBBON INKER PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Dec. 11, 19484 Sheets-Sheet 4 '51 '22 4 m I I m\' Patented Feb. 19, 1952 RIBBON INKERPRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR I Walter B. Payne, Rochester, N.Y., assignor to The Todd Company, Inc., Rochester, N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application December 11, 1948, Serial No. 64,741

24 Claims.

This invention relates to printing methods and the sheet tobe printed,but such a method and apparatus have been "subject to difiicul'ties suchas that 'of'controlhng the thickness and "uniformity of the film "of in;applied 'to "the "impression surfaces, with theresultin'g lackof's'harpnessand uniformity in the printing impression, "duee'i'ther toinsufiicient inking or "excessive inking and the tendency to "smear.

It has been acommonpractee, more especially in conventional printingpresses'to employ complicated fountain and other mechanismsformstributing and applying "a thin and uniform "film of ink to theimpression surfaces, but such'me'cha nisms are not particularly adaptedfor use in methods and apparatus or the simpler types -em-- ployed, forexample, in the field 'o'foiiice equipment. I

In an effort to overcome such -aiinc1nties "in machines of the simplertype, usehas been made of inked ribbon'sint'erposed between the printingmember and the pa'p'e'hbu't this liractict has not been whollysatisfactory'for obtaining sharp and uniform im ressions due to the covilfig' and blurring of the type by th'e ribBon, thea pearance of fabricrnar ks the impression, and the like.

It has also been proposed to inliplal'lai im ression surfaces bypressing thereaga'inst inked ribbon supported on a'planar serrate orplaten and then pressing the inked type sin-faces onthe work, but suchmethod and'apparatus are s'iibi bot to the known difficulties ofobtaining and maintaining planar surfaces and of "applying sufficientpressure in "both theinking of thetype and it's iinpressi'on on thework, due to the large areas over which the pressures are distributed,"to effect proper inking and sharp and uniform impres- SioIl'S, so thatsuch a method and apparamsy so far as'I'am aware, have not met with anysubstantial success or usage.

The Co-pending patent application ror patent of Edward W. schreiner,serial No. 60,541, filed Nov. 1'7, 1948-, discloses 'a printingapparatus and method in which an inked Tibbo' direct rolling eontaot W1the impressionor type "surfaces to ink the latter "for impression on thesheet to be'prihted. Inth'e pref rred *form there specificallydescribed, the ink'ed ribbon is supported on a cylindrical surface of aseparate rotary member and so rolled 'in contact with the impressionsurfaces or the -rotary.pi-ihti nghfinis brought nto her. I have found,however, that the inked ribbon may be supported on a cylindrical surfaceon the printing member itself, in circumferentially spaced relation tothe impression surfaces, and the ink transferred from the ribbon to theimpression surfaces by one or mor'e'transfer rollers rolling alternatelyin contact with them. My improved method and apparatus have the advan-'tages, among others, of eliminating contact of the inked ribbon with theimpression surfaces so as to reduce the wear on the ribbon, preserve itin eflicient condition and prolong its life; of improving thedistribution of the ink film by contact between varying surfaces of theribbon and the transfer roller and between the latter and the impressionsurfaces; as well as providing a more simple, compact andinexpensive'apparatus.

One object of the invention, therefore, is the provision of an improvedmethod and apparatus of a more simple, practical and economicalcharacter.

Another object is to supply an improved method such as described in saidpatent application having the advantages thereof but in which an inkedribbon is employed in a more facile, economical and efiicient way.

Another object is to provide such a method in which the depletion andwear on the inked ribbon is reduced to a minimum so as to preserve it inemc'ient operating condition and prolong its life.

Another object is the provision of a method of the "above character inwhich the ink is transferred from the ribbon to the impression surfacesin a more uniformly distributed condition.

Another object is to provide a method capable of being carried out by amore simple, compact and economical apparatus.

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus of the generalcharacter described in-said application but having a more simple,compact and economical arrangement capable of carrying out the abovemethod in a more eiiicient and convenient manner.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvementsand combinations of parts and method steps, all as Will be hereinaftermore fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claimsat the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side levation of an apparatus embodying the presentinvention, partly broken away and with casing parts removed to betterdisclose the mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of one form of type member and itssupporting means;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fi 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, sectional elevation on the line 55 in Fig. 1,showing the printing member and associated parts, in which the printingmember is provided with another form of type member;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view of gauge and stop means for worksheets omitted from the right hand side of the machine as seen in Fig.5;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of parts of the machine as seen from theright in Fig. 5, with parts omitted for clearer illustration;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation on the line 8-8 in Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, sectional elevation on the line 9-9 in Fig. 10,and

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation, taken substantially on line 19-40 inFig. 1 and with casing portions omitted.

The method of my invention is best described in conjunction with adescription of the apparatus for carrying it out. This apparatus issimilar in various respects to that disclosed in my Patent No.2,071,139, dated February 16, 1937, comprising a base l5 (Figs. 1, 5 and6) adapted for support on a table or stand and on which is mounted ahinged case I6, with a space or slot i1 between the base and caseadjacent the center of the machine for the passage therethrough ofchecks I 8, or other sheets to be printed.

At I9 is a frame adjustably mounted at its opposite ends on the oppositesides of the base and supporting, adjacent the center of the checkspace, an idly rotatable platen roller 29 over which the sheet to beprinted is simultaneously fed and printed by impression surfaces on arotatable printing member mounted on case 16, as hereafter described.

For supporting the rotary printing member, the

case I6 is formed with inwardly extending spaced pairs of lugs, as 2!(Figs. 7 and 10) and mounted on these lugs are spaced supporting plates22 and 23, having outwardly flanged bottom portions 24 and 25,respectively, fastened to the said lugs as by means of screws 26. Theseplates arev formed with aligned bearing openings supporting a shaft 21on which the printing cylinder, indicated generally at 28 (Fig. 8), isfixedly mounted.

The printing member comprises a pair of spaced plates 29 and 39, eachhaving a bushing (not shown) mounted on shaft 21. These plates arefurther connected together by tie rods, as 3 I, and a bridging plate forsupporting the impression or type holding means, as hereafter described.Pinned to shaft 21 at 32 (Figs. '7 and 10) is a bushing 33 having an arm34 secured by means of a pin 35 to plate 29 of the printing member, forrotating it when the shaft is rotated by the means hereafter described.

The type holder or holders may have various forms, one of which,indicated generally at 35 (Figs. 7 and 9), comprises two blocks orcastings, 31 and 38, having substantially flat lower faces 39 and 49,respectively, supported on a flat plate 4| having downturned ends 42 and43, secured by rivets to the printing member disks 29 and 39,respectively, disk 29 being preferably cut away or flattened along achord, as at 29a (Figs. 2, 5 and 9), to allow the plate 41 to extendover it, as shown. The lower faces of the castings are slotted as at 44to embrace a key bar 45 which is fixed centrally to plate 4| as by meansof screws 46 passing loosely through the plate and threaded into thebar. Casting 38 is fixed to plate 4! as 4 l by means of screws 41 (Fig.5) and to disk 39 as by screws 48, and casting 3'! is similarly fixed tothe plate by similar screws (not shown). The castings are spaced fromeach other as shown (Fig. 9) and receive between them a series of typeholding segments 49 releasably secured to one another and to casting 38by dowel pins 56. The segments as a unit are further releasably held inposition by a spring actuated plunger 5! sliding in the casting 3'1 andhaving a reduced end 52 arranged for engagement in an opening in theadjacet segment. The segments are formed at their cylindricalperipheries with T slots 53 in which selected movable type 54 may berapidly set for printing a desired legend and the segments are readilyassembled between the castings 31 and 38 and releasably locked in placeby the spring plunger 5 l The means for applying ink to the impressionsurfaces of the rotary printing member comprises inked ribbon meanscarried by the printing cylinder 28. For this purpose, the printingcylinder is provided, in a position diametrically opposite to that ofthe impression surfaces or type, with a removable ribbon supportingmeans having a cylindrical plate portion 55 shaped to bridge the spacebetween the side member plates 29 and 30 and lying substantially in theperiphery thereof, but at a less radial distance from its axis than theimpression surfaces 54, for a purpose hereafter described. Plate 55 hasinwardly extending side flanges 56, one end of each of which is recessedas at 51 and formed with a shoulder 58 arranged to rest upon and bepositioned by one of the tie rods 3|. The other end of each flange 56 isnotched, as at 59, for similar engagement with and positioning byanother tie rod 3|. Means are provided for detachably fastennig thisribbon support in place on the tie rods comprising, preferably a rod 99(Fig. 5) connecting the flanges 55 and with which is releasably engageda latch dog 6| pivoted at 62 to a yoke 63 pivotally mounted on a tie rod64 having its ends fixed in the printing member plates 29 and 30. Dog 6!is yieldably pulled inwardly by a coiled tension spring 65 having oneend connected therewith and its other end connected with the rod 64, asshown. To release the supporting surface 55, yoke 63 is rocked on itspivot rod 64 until dog BI is released from the rod 99, after which thesupporting plate may be readily removed outwardly from the tie rods 3|.The dog has a tail part 66 arranged to engage a stop flange 61 on theyoke to limit the inward swinging movement of the dog.

The inked ribbon I23 which may be of any known and suitable varietyincluding a plurality of differently colored sections, if desired, issmoothly stretched and fed progressively over its supporting surface 55by supply and rewind rolls, indicated generally at 58 and 69 (Fig. 5) towhich its opposite ends are respectively connected. Each roll comprisesa tubular core or sleeve, as 10, with spaced end flanges, H and 12,between which the ribbon is wound on the core. Each end flange is formedwith a cylindrical bearing opening (not shown) for the reception of atrunnion projecting inwardly from the corresponding disk 29 or 30 of theprinting member. For this purpose, plate '29 has fixed thereon aU-shaped bracket member 13 (Fig. 7) in the end of which and in plate 29are aligned bearings slidably re ceiving a plunger 14. Fixed on theplunger and sliding in the bearing in plate 29 is a sleeve 15 havingfixed thereon a disk 16 formed with a atom-sec plurallty orperipheralnotches 11. in compression spring 18, coiled about the plunger betweenthe bracket and sleeve, presses the plunger inwardly so 'that'its innerend, which is reduced and formed as a trunnion (not shown) engagesin'th'e bearing opening of the roll, as referred to above, for rotatablysupporting the base. The end .fiange i l of the spool has anoutwar'dlyiproj e'cting finger '19 arranged to engage in one of the .in'otches"I?! or the plunger flange and form :a driving connection with theplunger which :may be rotated manually by a knurled disk 80 onits outerend, or pulled :outwardly to release the ink ribbon roll. Thecther endof the roll is rotatablyisupportedina similar'way on atrunnion (notshown) on-th'e inner end of a short spindle 8I ro'tatablv mountedin abearing in the printing member disk 30. 'Fixedonthe spindle is acircular'fiange %2 formed with notches 82a for the reception of'annger-BB projecting from the spool flange I2 w for rotating the spoolby the rotation of the plunger. The outer end of the-plunger, outsidethe disk 30, has fixed thereon a ratchet wheel '84 operatedintermittently by meanswhich will now be described.

The means for rotating the ribbon spools, or rolls, step by step,comprises "for each roll, a pair of feedpawls, 85 and '86, (Fig. 8),pivotally mounted'at 81 and 9%, respectively, at the outer ends of crossarm' '89 or a substantially'T-shaped arm '90 pivotally mounted "at itsother end on shaft 21. The 'pawls'are arranged to engage'with theratchet wheels 84 of the ribbon rolls, each ratchet having a hook-shapedportion, as 9 I, and these portions being connected by a *coiledtensionspring'92 tending tomov'ethe pawl s into engagement with the ratchetwheels. Such inward movement of the pawls is limited by lugs, as 93, on'arm 90 which is shifted laterally by means hereafter described so as tomove one of the pawls into actuatingengagement with the ratchet wheel ofthat one of the rolls on which the ribbon is then being wound.

Arm 90 has pivoted thereon at 94 a latch carrying a roller 96 adapted toreleasably engage in one or the other of a pair of semi-circular notches91 and 9B, in the outer end of an arm '99 pivotally mounted on andoscillating about the shaft 21 to oscillate the arm 90. A coiled tensionspring I00 connected to the latch "95 tends to hold the roller 96 in oneor the other of the notches of the arm 99. When the ribbon has beencompletely unwound from one of the rolls, the ribbon tension on theother roll and the resistance to actuation of the corresponding pawlshifts roller 90 from one notch tothe other of the arm 99 or from notch98 to notch 97, as shown in Fig. 8, where the parts are positioned 'foractuating the right hand ratchet wheel 84 to rewind the ribbon on thecorresponding roll.

With such shifting of the roller 96, arm 90 is swung about shaft 21relative to arm 99 to move pawl 85 out of contact with its ratchet wheeland move the other pawl 86 into engagement with the other "ratchet wheelof the other roll all? of one orfmore. studs M (Elgs. 7 13),;iixed tothe mam :and to the adjacent casing plate .23. It is apparent from this:construction that as as "the printing member is rotated, ram 104 .isoscillated by the cam and oscillates arm "99 to actuate the ieedingpawlsas "described above.

Detent means are :provided to prevent unwinding of B31711 ribbon rollunder the tension '01 the ribbon "while its ratchet wheel is momentarilydisengaged by its actuating pawl during feedhig actuation, such meanscomprising for each :roll a pawl LI M (Fig. 8) pivoted at H2 on theinner side :or disk 30 of the printing member. fllhepawl has'a tooth II3 projecting through an opening M4 in the disk for engagement with itscorresponding ratchet wheel 84, being urged to such engagement by acoiled'tension spring II5 attached thereto. A tail portion II6 of thepawl is arranged to engage one :or the other of cam portions 1-H andII8-oto an arm H9 mounted to rockrabouta pivot I ondisk-30. Theoutterend of the .arm. is .notchedrat I2.I to engage opposite sides or a pin122 on :the corresponding'arm or the feeding mechanism. These partsareso arranged that when Tth'e arm 90 is positioned to actuate theratchet wheel of .a roll towind up the ribbon, itspin I22 swings arm H9to bring its lower cam gpcrtion I-IFI opposite the tail I I6 of ipawl II I, so as .to allow the-pawl to engage the corresponding ratchet wheel84. At the same time the otherxcammortion I.I8-of:-arm :I I9 moves thecorresponding tailportion -II6 of the other similar epawl *I II "todisengage the ratchet wheel of the supply -roll to .al-low free rotationthereof.

The means for transferring-ink/from the inked ribbon I23 to theimpression surfaces or type comprises one or more transfer :rollers, asI24 (Fig. 5), of rubber, jelly, or "other known and suitable .material,positioned for engagement alternately with the linked ribbon and withthe type as "the printing mem-ber'is rotated. To this end, :there arefixed "to the transverse plates 22 and 2-3 act the :case, as :by screwsI25, a .pair of spaced brackets 42-6 :and I21. :Each end of each bracketis formed with across arm, as I28, and .the corresponding ends of :thecross'arms on each side of the machine rare connected by tie rods, "as"1.29. Thesenross-a'rms support plates 'I 30 provided with spacednotches I'3I and I32, opening through "the outside edges of the :platesto re- ;ceiveitrunnions asiI3-3 of transfer rollers I24 so that .thetmnnionsmay rotateand rise and fall "in-the bearing notches [3i and I32.Each plate TIBB has an outwardly projecting portion I35 and theiplates 430 :of'each pair are connected by a tie rod I36 and secured by screws=I3I1ct- Pivoted .cntlris fie .rod "are a pair rof oppositely extendingclips 1 31 having wings L38 arranged to bear on the :trnnnions I33 orthe rollers I24 to press "themtowardthe printing-member, the'cHps beingconnected shy :a coiled tension spring I39 for this purpose. Eachrollerhas at each end a circular end plate or bearer, as (Fig. 5), which rollsupon the, peripheries of the :printing member disks '28 and 30, exceptduring engagement of the rollers with either the: inking ribbon "orimpression surface which project outwardly beyond the disks '29 and 30,thus limiting the inward movement of therollersnndcr the'tension o'f thespring I39. Each clipimayrbeswung outwardly to the dotted line position:as shown in it is apparent rr'om the above descripticn that as theprinting member is rotated through a complete revolution, the inkingribbon engages in rolling line contact with one or more ink transferrollers to provide them with a thin and uniform coating of ink forapplication to the type surfaces, but the inking ribbon is located atsuch a radial distance from the axis of the printing member as to clearthe platen roller 20. The type surfaces, located at a greater radialdistance from the axis of the printing member, engage in rolling contactwith the ink transfer rollers to receive a thin and uniform supply ofink which is impressed upon the Work sheet as it is engaged in rollingline contact by the type surfaces to simultaneously print and feed thesheet, the transfer rollers being actuated radially by the spring meansdescribed to insure their rolling contact alternately with the inkingribbon and the printing type.

While the present embodiment includes two pairs'of transfer rollers I24,one pair on the intake and the other on the delivery side of themachine, it is contemplated that either a lesser or greater number ofsuch rollers may be employed, if desirable. Where one or more of suchrollers are provided on the delivery side of the machine, at the rightin Fig. 5, and the printing member is arranged to have a position ofrest with the impression surface accessibly located at its top, then theimpression surface is rotated in inking contact with the transfer rolleror rollers directly before engagement with a sheet to be printed, ashereafter described. On the other hand, where it is desired to omitinking rollers on this side of the machine, to reduce its overhang, andto employ a roller or iollers on the other side only, it may bedesirable, when the machine has been out of use for any substantialperiod, to first rotate the printing member from the position shown inFig. 5, through one or more complete revolutions before commencing theprinting operation, to insureproper inking of the type. In such event,the case I6 of the machine may be hinged at one side, as at I4! (Fig.l), to the base I5, the other side of the machine being provided with alever I42 pivoted to the case at I43 and carrying at its lower end aroller I44 adapted to be engaged with a fiat portion I45 of the base I5,to slightly raise that side of the normally tensicned case and raise theprinting member above the platen 2B. In such a construction the case isprovided with means (not shown) for latching it to resilient meansassociated with the base and after such latching means are released, andlever I42 operated to raise the case, as described, then the printingmember may be rotated through one or more revolutions to insure fullinking of the type, without contact with the platen, so as toavoidinking the latterin the absence of an .to such parts for change ofcomposition, etc.

The machine is preferably driven by motor means (not shown) locatedunder the base, as disclosed in-said 'Payne Patent No. 2,071,139,

8 such-motor means having a driving connection (not shown) with a gearI48 (Figs. 1 and 7) fixed on shaft 21, as fully described in saidpatent, the particular construction of which, however, forms no part ofthe present invention. Such driving connection is controlled by meansactuated by the insertion of a work sheet in the machine, as describedin said patent, to produce a one-cycle operation of the machine, butsuch means form no part of the present invention.

The invention is embodied, in thepresent instance, as hereinabovestated, in a machine of the type disclosed in detail in the said Paynepatent wherein the baseof the machine carries a stop I49 (Fig. 6)slidably and adjustably mounted on a rock shaft I50, in the path of acheck through the slot I'I between the base I5 and case I6 of themachine. An endless belt I5I passing through the slot is driven in thedirection of the arrow, by means (not shown) connected with said motor,for feeding a work sheet inserted in the slot until it is engaged andstopped by the stop I49, the impression surface being then spaced fromthe platen to allow the work to pass freely therebetween. On rotation ofthe printing member, the impression surface is moved in a directionopposite to that of the travel of the belt, as shown by the arrow, so asto impress the work between the projecting impression surface and theplaten roller 20 and print the sheet I8, while simultaneously feeding itin a direction opposite to the travel of the belt. When the impressionsurface passes out of contact with the sheet, it is again carriedforward by the belt and the stop is automatically withdrawn to allow thebelt to feed the work out of the machine, but such feeding belt and stopmeans and the actuating mechanism therefor are described in said Paynepatent and form no part of the present invention, so that they requireno further description herein.

A modified form of printing member and impression surface is shown inFigs. 2, 3 and 4, in which the movable type described above is re placedby a plate embossed with desired printing characters. This modifiedconstruction comprises a block or casting I52 shaped to bridge the spacebetween the printing member plates 29 and 30 and secured by screws I52aand I52b to the printing 50 member substantially as described above inreference to the modification first described. The

casting has a cylindrical surface I53 lying adjacent the peripheralsurface of the printing member and this surface I53 is formed along one55 side with a continuous rib I54 undercut to provide a recess or grooveI 55. On its opposite side, surface I53 is provided with a series oflugs I56 spaced circumferentially from each other to leave intervaltherebetween and each undercut, as at 00 I51, to provide inwardly facingundercut lugs, as shown. A curved metal plate I58 is serrated at one orboth side edges I59 and ISO, and one of these edges is inserted in thegroove I55 with the projecting serrations of the other edge laid .8 inthe intervals between the lugs I56. A slight circumferential slidingmovement of the plate serves to frictionally secure the projectingserrations of the plate under the lugs I56, 2. stop pin IBI beingpreferably provided, to more accurately position the plate and resistthe thrust of the rotary printing engagement of the plate with the work.Plate I58 may be etched, engraved or formed in any known and suitableway with designs, letters or other printing characters fl I62, or otherimpression surfaces, as, for example,

9 by embossing such impression surfaces thereon, as may be readily andrapidly accomplished in one of the known varieties of embossingmachines. One of these printing plates may be quickly removed andanother substituted in its place as required. Instead of being embossed,plate 158 may be engraved with printing characters and it iscontemplated that the printing characters may be detachably applied tothe printing. member in the above and various other ways andcombinations thereof. I

It is evident from the above description that the method hereinabovedescribed utilizes-the several advantages of an inked ribbon, includingthe fact that it supplies a thin and uniformly distributed coating orfilm of ink adapted to be transferred to the type, without anycomplicated ink distributing mechanism and without excess or tendency toclog the typeand smear the work. The use of such a ribbon has thefurther advantage that it may be readily and quickly i-nserted andreplaced with greater cleanliness and convenience in handling.

The invention utilizes, on the other hand, the advantages of rollingline contact with the inked ribbon for applying ink effectively to thetransfer roller and contact of the same character for transferring theink from the roller to the impression surfaces and from the latter tothework, thereby largely obviating the necessity for precision levellingof the ribbon supporting and impression surfaces, as well as the surfaceof the work and enabling the application of substantial pressurethroughout such lines of contact to insure efficient transfer of the inkfrom surface to 5 surface, as compared, for example, with theplanographic methods of printing. By the present method, furthermore,type faces are impressed directly upon the work without an interposedribbon and its tendency to blur the type outlines and leave fabric markson the work. Since the ribbon is engaged by the smooth surface of thetransfer roll, it is relieved from wearing contact with irregular andrough type faces and thereby preserved from wear and maintained in moreP perfect working condition. As a result of such advantages, the presentmethod produces an exceedingly uniform, sharp and clear impression onthe work with a high degree of fineness of lines and detail in theimpression.

The present invention provides also a simple, compact, portable andefficient apparatus for carrying out the abovedescribed' method in arapid manner in any business oflice or other desired location. Theimpression surfaces or type for such purposes are quickly setup andprepared and applied to the printing member ready'for operation, theprinting member, in its position of rest, being positioned with theprinting plate or type holding means at the top of its periphery so asto be readily accessible for the removal and replacement thereof. Theinking ribbon is preserved in satisfactory working condition over longperiods of time and may be readily removed'an'd replaced as required.The ink transfer rollers are also readily accessible for any necessaryservicing. The machine as a whole occupies relatively small space asdesirable in equipment for use in business oflices.

With a relatively simple and inexpensive machine, such as described, forexample, a bank may make the necessary preparations and imprint aquantity of checks for a depositor in a period of a few minutes while"the depositor waits,

thus eliminating the customary delays and -ex- 10 pense of sending outthe work, often small in volume,. to be performed by a separate printingestablishment on a standard printing press. The invention thus servesto-greatly relieve the congestion of work, labor and expense currentlyexperienced by banking institutions, for example, in endeavoring to copewith the popularity and rapidly growing use of the so-calledtPersonalized bank checks. The rapid and convenient imprinting of suchchecks with the name and address-of the depositor, made possible bythe'present invention, serves also to greatly reduce the errors insorting and posting of such checks resulting from indistinct and.illegible handwriting of depositors. The invention producesa quality ofprinting work which compares favorably with that of a standard printingpress so as tobe readily acceptable in place thereof; And while theadvantages of the invention for imprinting bank checks and the like havebeen pointed out hereinby wayof illustration, it is contemplated thatthe method and apparatus of 'myinvention are adapted also to a widevariety ofother applications and uses.

It will thusbe seenthat the invention-accomlishes its objects and whileithas been herein disclosed by reference to the details of preferredsteps-andstrucwral embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdisclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense,as it is contemplated that various modifications in the method andconstructionand arrangement of the apparatus will readily occur to theseskilledin the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope ofthe appended-claims.

1. In the art of printing with aninked printing member, the methodcomprising the steps of employing a windable inking ribbon to provide athinly distributed anduniformsupply of ink, subjecting said ribbon topressure at the linear contact between-opposing surfaces having arelative rolling engagement with oneanother for inking one of saidopposing surfaces, bringing said inked surface and-member into rollingcontact with eachother tos'pread and transfer a uniform film of ink tosaid member and impressing and feeding the material to be printed byrolling impression thereof between said member and a rotary platen.

2. The method as specified in claim I in which said inked surface is arotary surface and is brought into roll-ing'contact with said member totransfer a uniform'film of ink thereto.

3. The method as-specifiedin claim 1 in which the ribbon is supported ona rotary surface and moved in rolling contact with the other of saidopposing surf-aces to-apply a uniform film of ink to said othersurface-for transfer thereby to said member.

- film of ink for transfer 'tossaid member.

5. The method as specified in claim 1 in which said member is rotatedandcarries one of saidopposing surfaces and said ribbon is supported onsaid surface on said member;

6. The method-as specified in claim 5 in which the other of saidopposing surfaces is-moved in-- 11; thejribbon is progressively fed oversaid surface on said member to present successive portions thereof forsupplying a film of ink to the other ofv said opposing surfaces fortransfer thereby to said impression surface. 7 V

8. 'l'ne method as specified in claim 6 in which the impression surfaceof said member is rotated in direct printing contact with a material tobe printed to simultaneously print and feed said material.

9. In the art of printing with an inked printing member, the methodcomprising the steps of rotating an impression surface and a windableinking ribbon, moving a non-absorbent transfer surface into rollingcontact alternately with said ribbon and impression surface to spreadand transfer a uniform film of ink from said ribbon to said impressionsurface, and effecting direct printing contact of said impressionsurface with v the material to be printed while supported by a rotaryplaten surface to simultaneously print and feed tne same.

l0. In the art of printing with an inked printing member, the methodcomprising the steps of rotating an impression surface and a windableinking ribbon, moving said ribbon and impression surface alternately inrolling contact with a non-absorbent ink transfer means to spread andtransfer a uniform film of ink from said ribbon to said impressionsurface, and effecting direct printing contact of said impressionsurface with the material to be printed while supported by a rotaryplaten surface to simultaneously print and feed the same.

11. In the art of printing with an inked printing member, the methodcomprising the steps of rotating an impression surface and a windableinking ribbon about a common axis with said impression surface at agreater radial distance from said axis, rotating a resilient,non-absorbent transfer surface in rolling line contact alternately withsaid ribbon and impression surface to transfer a uniform film of inkfrom said ribbon to said impression surface and effecting directprinting contact of said impression surface with the material to beprinted while supported by a rotary platen surface to simultaneouslyprint and feed the same.

12. in a printing apparatus, a printing member, a windable inking ribbonfor providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, meanscomprising non-absorbent opposing surfaces having a relative rollingmovement therebetween in contact with opposite sides of said ribbon tosubject said ribbon to pressure at the lines of contact thereof withsaid surfaces for inking one of said surfaces, means for moving saidinked surface and member in rolling contact with each other to transfera uniform film of ink to said member, a freely rotatable platen andmeans for effecting a rolling impression of the material to be printedbetween said member and platen to print and feed the same.

13. In a, printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member, an inkingribbon for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink,means comprising opposing, non-absorbent surfaces having a relativerolling movement therebetween in contact with opposite sides of saidribbon to subject said ribbon to pressure at the lines of contactthereof with said surfaces for inking one of said surfaces, means formoving said inked surface and member in rolling contact with each otherto transfer a uniform film of ink to said member, and means comprisingafreely ro- 12 I tatable platen roller for effecting an impression ofsaid member on the material to be printed to print and feed the same.

14. In a printing apparatus, a printing member, a windable inking ribbonfor providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, a supportfor said ribbon, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means foreffecting alternate rolling engagement of said ribbon and member withsaid ink transfer roller for transferring a uniform film of ink to saidmember, a freely rotatable platen, and means for effecting a rollingimpression of the material to be printed between said member and platento print and feed the same.

15. In a printing apparatus, a printing memher, a windable inking ribbonfor providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, anon-absorbent support for said ribbon, a nonabsorbent ink transferroller, means for effecting alternate rolling engagement of said ribbonand member with said transfer roller for transferring a uniform film ofink to said member, a freely rotatable platen, and means for effecting arolling impression of the material to be printed between said member andplaten to print and feed the same.

16. In a printing apparatus, a printing member having an impressionsurface and a supporting surface, a windable inking ribbon positionedover said supporting surface for providing a thinly distributed anduniform supply of ink, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means foreffecting alternate rolling engagement of said ribbon and impressionsurface with said roller for transferring a uniform film of ink to saidsurface, a freely rotatable platen, and means for effecting arollingimpression of the material to be printed between said surface and platento print and feed the work.

17. In a printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member having animpression surface and a non-absorbent supporting surface, an inkingribbon positioned over said supporting surface for providing a thinlydistributed and uniform supply of ink, an ink transfer roller ofnon-absorbent, resilient material, means for effecting alternate rollingengagement of said ribbon and impression surface with said roller fortransferring a uniform film of ink to said surface, and means comprisinga freely rotatable platen roll for effecting an impression of saidimpression surface of said member on the material to be printed to printand feed the same.

18. In a printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member having animpression surface and a supporting surface spaced from each othercircumferentially of said member, a windable inking ribbon positionedover said supporting surface for providing a thinly distributed anduniform sup ply of ink, a non-absorbent ink transfer surface, means foreffecting rolling engagement of said transfer surface alternately withsaid ribbon and impression surface for transferring a uniform film ofink to said impression surface, a freely rotatable platen, and means foreffecting a rolling impression of the material to be printed betweensaid surface and platen to print and feed the.

a rotatable print-- ing surface, a windable inking ribbon positionedover said supporting surface for providing a thinly distributed anduniform supply of ink, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means forrotatably and movably supporting said roller for rolling engagementalternately with said ribbon and impression surface for transferring auniform film of ink to said impression surface, a freely rotatableplaten, and means for effecting a rolling impression of the material tobe printed between said surface and platen to print and feed the same.

20. In a printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member having animpression surface and a non-absorbent supporting surface spacedcircumferentially of said member with said impression surface at agreater radial distance from the rotary axis thereof than saidsupporting surface, an inking ribbon positioned over said supportingsurface for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, anon-absorbent ink transfer roller, means for rotatably and movablysupporting said roller for rolling engagement alternately with saidribbon and impression surface for transferring a uniform film of ink tosaid impression surface, means for progressively feeding said ribbonover said supporting surface to successively position different portionsthereof for applying ink to said roller, a rotary platen, mechanism forrotating said member to bring said impression surface into rollingcontact with the material to be printed while supported by said platento simultaneously print and feed the same, and means operated by saidmechanism for actuating said ribbon feeding means.

21. In a printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member having animpression surface and a non-absorbent supporting surface spacedcircumferentially of said member with said impression surface at a,greater radial distance from the rotary axis thereof than saidsupporting surface, an inking ribbon on said supporting surface forproviding a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, supply andrewind rolls on said member for intermittently feeding said ribbon oversaid supporting surface, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means forrotatably and movably supporting said roller for rolling engagementalternately with said member and impression surface for transferring auniform film of ink to said impression surface, a rotary platen,mechanism for rotating said member to bring said impression surface intorolling contact with the material to be printed while supported by saidplaten to print and feed the same, and means operated by said mechanismfor actuating said ribbon rolls.

22. In a printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member and platenadapted to be rotated in contact with a material to be printed, saidmember having an impression surface and a supporting surface spacedcircumferentially of said member with said impression surface at agreater radial distance from the rotary axis thereof than saidsupporting surface, an inking ribbon on said supporting surface forproviding a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, anon-absorbent ink transfer roller, means supporting said roller formovement toward and from said member, spring means for moving saidroller into rolling engagement alternately with said ribbonandimpression surface during rotation of said member for transferring auniform film of ink to said impression surface, means for progressivelyfeeding said ribbon over said supporting surface to suecessivelyposition different portions thereof for applying ink to said roller,mechanism for rotating said member to bring said impression surface intorolling contact with the material to be printed to simultaneously printand feed the same, and means operated by said mechanism for actuatingsaid 'ribbon feeding means.

23. In a printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member and platenadapted to be rotated in contact with a material to be printed, saidmember having an impression surface and a supporting surface spaced fromeach other circumferentially of said member, an inking ribbon on saidsupporting surface for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supplyof ink, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means supporting saidroller for rolling engagement alternately with said ribbon andimpression surface for transferring a uniform film of ink .to saidimpression surface, supply and rewind rolls on said member forintermittently feeding said ribbon over said supporting surface tosuccessively position different portions thereof for applying ink tosaid roller, mechanism for rotating said member to bring said impressionsurface into rolling contact with the material to be printed tosimultaneously print and feed the same, and means operated by saidmechanism for actuating said ribbon rolls.

24. In a printing apparatus, a frame, a printing member and platenrotatably mounted on said frame for engagement with a material to beprinted to simultaneously print and feed the same therebetween, saidmember having an impression surface and a non-absorbent supportingsurface spaced circumferentially of said member with said impressionsurface at a greater radial distance from the rotary axis thereof thansaid supporting surface, an inking ribbon on said supporting surface forproviding a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, anon-absorbent ink transfer roller, means on said frame for supportingsaid roller for movement toward and from said member, spring actuatedmeans for moving said roller into engagement alternately with saidribbon and impression surface during rotation of said member fortransferring a uniform film of ink to said impression surface, supplyand rewind rolls on said member for feeding said ribbon over saidsupporting surface, mechanism for rotating said member, and meansoperated by said mechanism for actuating said ribbon rolls tosuccessively position different portions of said ribbon for applying inkto said roller.

WALTER B. PAYNE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,029,199 La May June 11, 19121,324,770 De Clercq Dec. 9, 1919 1,608,236 Rick Nov. 23, 1926 1,962,156Rowell June 12, 1934 2,071,139 Payne Feb. 16, 1937 2,300,949 Luehrs Nov.3, 1942 2,310,179 Kohnle Feb. 2, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number CountryDate 153,133 Great Britain Nov. 4, 1920

